Chapter 8
I had just caught a wave and I road it all the way back to the shore where Steve was setting up a breakfast for us. I ran in, dropping my board as I grabbed a towel.
"That was a serious wave you caught." Steve grinned.
"It was the best one yet!" I said returning his grin. I wiped down my sides and watched as Steve flipped the bacon over in the pan. I went to pull on one of his t-shirts, when I felt the pain slowly rise through my leg. I gripped the table until my knuckles turned white and I bit my lip.
I felt Steve's eyes watching me and he finally spoke, "Jes, you ok?"
I nodded my head, "Just a little pain." It subsided, "I'm ok now."
I continued to lift the shirt over my head; Steve's voice came out hurried, "What's that?!" I was confused as he pointed to my side.
I looked down and realized that the towel had wiped away the makeup. I sighed, "It's nothing."
"That doesn't look like nothing, that is a tattoo! I can't believe you went out and got one behind my back!" He huffed.
"No! I didn't! I would never lie to you! I got this two years ago!" I stated firmly.
Steve raised an eyebrow, "Your parents let you get a tattoo? When you were what, 15?"
I pulled the shirt over my wet suit and sat down in a chair. "Let's call it my rebellion stage."
"Your rebellion stage? You did not have a rebellion stage!" He went back to the bacon.
"Oh, but I did! Actually, I had quite a few. There was the year and a half in foster care, and then right after I turned 15. The tattoo is a result of my later one." I laughed.
"Your parents, did they find out about it?" Steve asked.
"They did. I'm pretty sure I gave my dad a heart attack when he found out. He was so angry, but he let me off semi-easily. He told me that the pain I had from getting the tattoo was punishment enough." I smiled, remembering the look on my dad's face.
"How did you even get it without parent consent?" He looked at me.
"Well, hypothetically speaking, let's say I hung with the rough crowd for a few months. And let's also say that the leader of said crowd, had a cousin who could do tattoos. That is a possible scenario in which I could have gotten this tattoo." I shrugged my shoulders.
Steve finished cooking and brought the food over. He took a seat next to me, "Hypothetically speaking, what kind of rough crowd are we talking about?"
I looked at my plate of food, "The party kids, the ones who steal alcohol and throw huge parties in abandon buildings. I never drank though. I wasn't that rebellious. I just skipped school a lot and made a few mistakes, but I wasn't an extremist." Steve gave me a skeptical look and I rolled my eyes, "Ok, fine. I had one beer, but it reminded me too much of Bill."
He smiled sympathetically, "Where was Jake and Lacey through all of this? Didn't they care?"
I nodded my head, "They cared, but I didn't. They tried to get me to stop, but I was mad. Mad at Jake and mad at Marissa. I guess I can be a little stubborn."
"And she admits it!" Steve laughed.
I lightly punched his arm, "Hey! You are too!"
He held up his hands in surrender and then his whole demeanor changed, "Jessa, there's something I need to tell you."
I sat up straighter at the sound of his seriousness. My heart began to race. "Ok." Steve scratched the back of his head. "Steve, you're freaking me out."
"Sorry, it's nothing bad. Well, at least I hope it won't be." He paused, "The thing is Jes-" And that is when his phone rang.
He gave me a helpless look and I shook my head, "Take the call Steve."
Steve nodded and answered his phone, "McGarrett..." I couldn't hear the other side of the conversation, but Steve's eyes never left mine. "Alright, I'll be right there." He hung up the phone and gave me an apologetic look, "I'm so sorry."
"Hey, I'm ok. Go, I understand. You're always on call. It's ok. I promise." I gave him my sweetest smile.
Steve quickly stood up and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "You are the most understanding girl. I love you, Jes. I'll be back as soon as I can! Stay out of trouble." With a wink he was gone.
I slumped back against the chair and sighed, "Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be so understanding." I finished my breakfast and cleaned up. I went up to my room and took a quick shower. It was increasingly hot outside so I put on a pair of tight linen shorts and a loose top. I pulled my thick, long, chestnut brown hair up into a messy bun and was finished.
I heard the front door open and close shut. I figured Steve had forgotten something. He's done that a few times. I walked down the stairs and called, "Steve, what'd you forget this time?" When my foot hit the last step, it wasn't Steve I found. On the contrary, it was a tall slender brunette wearing a Navy uniform. "You are definitely not Steve. Who are you?"
"Neither are you. I'm Lieutenant Catherine Rollins. Who are you?" The beautiful woman raised an eyebrow.
"Well, Catherine, I'm Jessa. What are you doing in my house?" I questioned.
"Your house? You must be mistaken, this is Commander Steve McGarrett's home." Catherine spoke.
"I know it's his home, I'm his daughter. Now leave before I call Five-O." I stated firmly.
"Whoa, wait! Daughter? Steve does not have a daughter. I think I would know that, I'm his girlfriend!" She nearly shouted.
"Well he does! You must be ill, Steve would have told me if he had a girlfriend!" I glared at her.
"This is crazy! I'm going to call him!" Catherine pulled out her cell phone.
"You do that! I'm just going to leave." I angrily said. I grabbed the keys to my corvette and stormed out the door.
"Hey, you should wait until Steve gets back! He can clear this up for both of us!" She ran after me.
"Thanks, but I'd rather not." I climbed in my convertible and sped off. I drove the fifteen miles it took to get to Jake's house and I had barely parked the car when I got out. I ran up to the front door and rang the doorbell.
I heard footsteps coming towards me and the door swung open, "Jessa! How are you, honey?" Said Jake's mom.
"I don't mean to be rude, Mrs. Harrison, but is Jake home?" I could feel the tears burning my eyes.
"Yes, he's out in the shed sweetie." She gave me a hesitant look and I ran towards the shed.
"Jake?" I called out.
His head popped around a stack of boxes and a smile lit up his face, "Jessa! What's up?"
He came closer and the smile was dropped as he saw my tears, "Steve lied to me."
"What?!" Jake yelled angrily.
"I guess he didn't technically lie, he just never told me." I bit my lip and looked down at the ground.
I felt Jake's hand lightly enclose around my arm and he pulled me out onto the back porch. We sat down on the porch swing and he looked at me, "What didn't he tell you?"
"He has a girlfriend. I know it's stupid of me to be upset about and I should be happy for him but I'm not! He didn't tell me, Jake! And he didn't tell her about me! What does that say then? That he doesn't care for me? That he might be keeping other things from me? You should have seen the look that his girlfriend gave me today when she found out. At first she was shocked, but then she acted disgusted. Like I was Steve's daughter from a previous relationship. Her look was of pure hatred." A tear slipped down my cheek.
Jake wiped it away, "Did Steve have anything to say about it?"
I shook my head, "I left before he got home. I can't face him right now. I'm to angry and hurt."
Jake nodded and pulled me into a tight hug. My head rested against his chest and his hand lightly played with my hair. The steady beating of his heart helped calm me down somewhat. We didn't move for a while. When I finally pulled back, Jake gave me a lopsided grin.
"What?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I was just thinking about something." He said mischievously. I shook my head with a light laugh and sat back against the swing. It was getting later in the night. The sun was just starting to set over the ocean. Jake slid a strong arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. I leaned into his side and smiled.
This is how we always were, close to each other. So many people have asked us if we were dating. I lost track of time as we sat there, enjoying each other. Jake finally spoke, "Jessa, it's almost one in the morning. You should probably get home."
I sighed, "I know you're right. I just don't want to face it yet."
He stood up and pulled me with him, "Maybe you won't have too! Maybe he'll be asleep when you get back."
"I hope so." We walked to my Corvette and I turned to face Jake. "Thanks for tonight. You're a great best friend. One girl is going to be so lucky to have you."
"Mm, I have a girl in mind." Jake's eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "Goodnight, Jessa."
"Night Jake!" I got into my car and drove off. I decided to take the more scenic route home. I got home around 1:45 am. I killed the engine and crawled out. I prayed silently that Steve wouldn't be up. I approached the door and I could hear voices. They were raised and I could tell the woman was angry.
"Really, Steve?! You adopted a seventeen-year-old girl? Without even considering your girlfriend? The dumbest thing you've ever done!" I stopped, it was Catherine.
"Cath! We've been over this a dozen times already! Jessa's a good kid! She lost her family and I promised to protect her! I do not break my promises!" Steve's voice was raised.
"Why did it have to fall on your shoulders? I get that you promised to protect her during the investigation, but it's over now! You could have turned her over to Child Protective Services! Let them deal with her! We do not need a problem child on our hands! She is not your responsibility!" Catherine rumbled.
"She is! I made her my responsibility because I love her! I was not about to let her go through life without a father! And you know what maybe she doesn't even think of me as a dad, but at least it's better than having no one! She may seem grown up, but she's just a little girl. She was afraid and scared." Steve's voice softened.
"Steve, I get it. You felt an obligation to protect her. You honestly can't expect me to instantly fall in love with her. She isn't my daughter." She stated.
"I don't expect you too. I just want you to give her a chance."
Catherine sighed, "Fine!"
I could hear Steve's smile, "Now that we're done fighting, we never even said hello. Hi." It was silent for a few moments and I didn't want to know why. When the silence continued I decided it was now or never: get inside while he was distracted.
I silently opened the door and crept in. I didn't bother looking at what they were doing in the living room as I kept going. I made it to the stairs, I was on the fourth step when it creaked loudly through the silent house. I froze in place. "Please dear God, don't let them notice." I prayed silently.
I jumped when an intense voice spoke, "Where have you been?" I acted as if I hadn't heard him and I kept going up the stairs. Just two more steps and I could be free. "Jessa, I know you heard me. We need to talk."
I grumbled to myself and whipped around, "Talk? What good is that gonna do! You've had plenty of opportunities to tell me everything, to explain! I don't know what's worse!" I was yelling now, "Learning you had a girlfriend from someone else or coming home to hear that I'm a problem child."
I stomped up the stairs and walked into my room. The door slammed shut and a picture shattered to the ground. I walked over to see that it was one of the last family photos I had taken with my parents. Tears stung the corner of my eyes and I angrily wiped them away.
A light tap came from my door, "Jes, I know you're mad, please we need to talk."
"Go away!" I growled and threw the shattered frame at the door.
"Come on, Princess! I need to explain myself." The door opened cautiously. "I'm going to come in." I turned away; I heard his heavy footsteps behind me and he sighed. A scrape sounded across the floor and I knew he had picked up the broken photo, "I'm sorry, I should have told you. I was going to tell you during breakfast, but we got a case. I want you to know that you aren't a problem child. I wouldn't have signed the adoption papers if I thought you were a bad kid. Catherine was angry with me for not telling her about you. She didn't know what she was saying."
I turned around, "I guess her and I have that in common. Why didn't you tell me? More importantly why didn't you tell her about me? What, are you embarrassed that you had to take in an orphaned girl?"
Steve laughed, "Why is it every girls first thought, that I'm embarrassed? Catherine asked that too. No, I'm not. I just didn't know how to tell either of you. And now because of not telling, I've managed to lose the two most important women in my life."
I lowered my head and mumbled, "You didn't lose me."
"Yeah?" I nodded my head, "That's a relief. Jes, I don't know if you've figured this out yet or not, but you're kind of my world."
Silent, unwanted tears slipped down my face, "Steve, remember how I said I was being selfish last night? The truth is, in an odd way, my parents' death was a good thing. That sounds awful, but if they hadn't died I would have never met you. You would have never adopted me. I'm so grateful that all of it happened. Don't get me wrong, I loved my parents and if they were still here I'd be happy, but I'd feel liked I'd be missing you. I just- I don't know if I'm ready to share you with anyone else. I know, I'm a selfish brat, but I like being your daughter and I like that it's just the two of us."
"Hey, hey." He pulled me into a tight hug. "I feel like such a huge jerk. You're my daughter and you come first. I'll end things with Catherine."
Now I felt like the jerk. How could I force Steve to break up with this woman? I wasn't going to be around forever and he deserved to be happy. "No, don't do that."
"Jessa, I have to."
"No. Can you just promise me that you'll still have time for me? I like when we spend time together." I needed to spend time with Steve, but those words stayed inside.
He smiled and nodded his head, "Now, where were you? It's 2:30 in the morning!"
"I was at Jake's house." I said in a matter of fact way and pulled away from our hug.
Steve dismissed the thought, "You were at Jake's house." His eyes grew wide in realization, "You were at Jake's house?!"
I laughed, "I'm pretty sure that's what I just said."
"You were with him for almost seven hours!" Steve began pacing and rubbing the back of his neck, "Jessa, young men have bad intentions. You cannot trust them."
"Steve, it's just Jake! Even Uncle Chin likes him and you know that he's very protective of me! He's my best friend, nothing more." I laid my hand on his arm.
"Your Uncle Chin is not as protective of you." He mumbled.
"No, he's not. You're protective enough for the two of you." I grinned, "Steve, I'm not fifteen, I can take care of myself. I promise no guy is ever going to think about hurting me. Not when they know who my family is!"
"Yes, well they better not! Ok, it's late. We both need some rest. Catherine went home, but she'll be back tomorrow. We're going to have dinner together. All of us. I made reservations." He stated.
"You made reservations?" I raised an eyebrow and Steve nodded, "Ok, what do I need to wear?"
"Well, it's a nicer restaurant, so something nice. It's sort of a black tie evening." Steve said before he left my room and shut the door.
I went over to my closet and dug around searching for one specific item. It was in the very back. It was all black lace. The sleeves were three-quarter length and it had a v-neckline. The bottom was scalloped all across and it fell about four inches above my knees. I hung it on the handle and found my black bow heels. I crawled into bed and fell asleep.
When I woke up the next morning it was already eleven o'clock. I crawled out of bed and walked down the stairs. The house was quiet. I went into the kitchen and found a note on the counter.
"Jes, went to wrap up the case, I'll be home before six, dinner is at seven. Love you." I read aloud.
I rolled my eyes at the thought of dinner and walked over to the fridge. I pulled it open and grabbed the milk. I grabbed a box of cereal from the pantry and poured myself a bowl.
I sat down in front of the TV and ate my breakfast. The home phone rang halfway through my show and I grumbled as I hit pause. I grabbed it off of the charger and answered it.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hi, is Commander McGarrett there?" Came the voice of an older woman.
"I'm sorry, he's at work. Can I take a message for him?" I asked.
"Um no. It's ok. I'll try later. Oh and who am I speaking to?" The woman said.
"I'm his- His- uh- His daughter." I stuttered.
"Are you sure about that?" She questioned.
"Yes."
"Ok, well goodbye." With that she hung up. I put down the phone and shook my head at the strangeness of the call. Grabbing the remote, I hit play.
When I had finished my show, I realized that it was nearing two pm. I rolled off of the couch and climbed the stairs. I got in the shower and washed my hair. I got out and pulled on a pair of soccer shorts and one of Steve's Navy SEAL tees. It took forty minutes to blow dry my hair completely and another hour to curl it. I pinned it all to one side and smiled at myself.
I began my makeup, I did a black smoky eye that complemented my dark brown eyes and I did a lighter red lipstick. I looked good, but inside I was freaking out. I checked the clock and realized it was five. Steve would be back in an hour and I had yet to get on my dress.
I slipped into the beautiful fabric and zipped it up. It was tight to me and I had to admit, I felt gorgeous in it. I stepped into my tall black bow heels and smiled. I was done and it was almost six. I heard the front door open and close.
"Jes? I'm home!" Called Steve.
I stepped out of my room and walked down the steps, "Hey!" I smiled.
Steve's eyes widened when he saw me and his jaw dropped, "Wow! You look beautiful!"
"Really?" A grin spread across my face.
"Really." He nodded. "Ok, I should hurry. We have to pick up Catherine at 6:45."
I let him go get ready and made my way to the kitchen. I needed some medicine. I looked at the scar that occupied my right knee and grumbled. It was ugly and even makeup couldn't hide it. I quickly took some pain pills, just as the doorbell rang. I walked over and opened it.
"Jake? What are you doing here?" I asked.
His jaw dropped. "Are you... Do you... Wow!" Jake stuttered. I giggled and let him in, "Are you going on a date?"
"Uh no! Dinner with Catherine." I gave him a fake smile.
"Oh ok. I just wanted to come by and see if you were ok. You know, from last night." He said.
"Thanks! I'm good now." I nodded.
Jake gave me a knowing look, "Seriously though, Commander McGarrett is actually letting you outside of the house like that? He better bring some back up ammunition. He is going to have a riot on his hands."
I lightly punched his arm, "Shut up. Anyways, can you believe our senior year starts next week? What happened to those dorky 12 year olds? I still feel like I'm that little girl."
"You are definitely not a little girl anymore." Jake smirked, "Well, I should be going. Call me later, ok?"
I smiled and nodded as he walked out the door. I heard the staircase creak and looked over to find Steve, in a tux. It was jet black and he wore a black bow tie. "Wow, you look very nice." I said.
Steve rolled his eyes, "Who was at the door?"
"Oh it was just Jake." I grinned, "He said you should probably bring some back up ammunition otherwise you'll have a riot."
"That's one smart boy." Steve nodded his head, "Ok, you ready?"
"I guess so. I can't really back out, can I?" I asked.
He shook his head, "Not a chance."
I made sure that I had my phone and car keys in my clutch and followed Steve outside. "Why don't I follow you guys there? It'd be a little strange to ride altogether."
Steve sighed, "Alright, that's fine."
"I promise I'm not gonna run off. I've got to do this." I stated. I got into my corvette and waited for Steve to back out so I could follow him. I turned on some country music and began singing along to the beat. We drove towards a small subdivision and Steve pulled up to a house. I parked behind him and waited.
He took long strides to the front door and knocked. It swung open and there was Catherine. She wore a long black dress that formed to her body. Her long brown hair was straight and pulled slightly back off her face. She smiled at Steve and kissed him. I looked away. A few moments later I heard the roar of his truck and we drove off towards the highway. It took ten minutes to get to the restaurant.
Steve was right; it definitely was a black tie kind of place. I had been here many times before with my parents. It was set right on the water. The back patio was covered in twinkling lights and overlooked the gorgeous ocean. I pulled up to a valet station and let the twenty something guy take my corvette and park it. I waited for Steve and Catherine as the guy made his way back to me.
He stood in front of me and smirked, "You waiting for your boyfriend?"
"No." I rolled my eyes.
He held out his hand, waiting for a tip. "Well then, sweetheart, I'll take your number as a form of tip." He stepped closer and brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
"Oh you want a tip? Here's a tip for you!" I stomped on his foot, "Don't flirt with me."
He grabbed his foot and hopped away. I crossed my arms as I continued to wait for Steve and Catherine. "Finally!" I grumbled when they got there.
"Sorry, we got caught at a light." Steve said. I nodded my head as Steve handed his keys over to the other valet.
"That's your daughter?" The injured valet mumbled.
"Yes, she is." Steve raised an eyebrow.
"She's got major attitude." He muttered.
Steve quirked an eyebrow in my direction and I shrugged. He led us into the reservation desk, "Three under McGarrett."
The hostess nodded and led us to the back patio. Steve pulled out mine and Catherine's chairs before taking a seat. It was silent as I looked over the menu. I felt a bit of rebellion as I ordered the lobster, the most expensive thing on the menu. I didn't want to be here and this was my way of getting back at Steve. He cleared his throat and nudged Catherine with his elbow.
I pretended not to notice their exchange as I carefully dissected my piece of bread.
"So Jessa, you're going into your senior year, any plans after that?" Catherine asked.
I looked at her and shook my head, "I haven't really given it much thought. I'm not extremely talented at one thing. I can do bits and pieces of a lot of things, but nothing that'll pay the bills. I have a few things in mind, but..." Why was I even talking to this lady? She hated me; I went back to my piece of bread.
"Actually, Jes wants to eventually join Five-O. Right, Jes?" Steve prompted.
I looked up and plastered on a fake smile, nodding my head just a bit too enthusiastically. He gave me a warning look and I rolled my eyes.
"That's interesting. Are you any good with a gun?" She questioned.
I had just taken a drink and snorted, spewing water on the white tablecloth. "I shot and killed a man a few months ago. I only had one bullet in the chamber and it hit him point blank. You tell me?"
Catherine's eyes grew wide and Steve glared at me. I smiled, satisfied with these events. Just then, the waiter had come back to see if we wanted to order a different drink or we needed refills.
"I would love a whiskey on the rocks!" I smiled up at the twenty year old man.
Catherine gasped and Steve choked on his water, "She's kidding."
The waiter walked a way a little confused and I went back to my pile of breadcrumbs.
"So, Jes, what do you like to do for fun?" She asked hesitantly.
Oh, boy. "I love dissecting things! Rodents, pets," I paused and looked her over eerily, "humans."
"Jessa, let's talk. Now." Steve took my arm and led me towards the bathrooms. It was silent as he stood with his back towards me.
I went to say something, but shut my mouth. Steve sighed and turned around to face me. In an angry whisper he said, "What are you doing?"
I huffed, "She hates me. I don't particularly like her. Look, Steve, I don't care what she thinks of me."
"Please, Jes-" he pleaded with me. He never pleads with anyone.
"And what is this? She calls me Jes? No, not happening. No one is allowed to call me that." I mumbled and crossed my arms.
Steve raised an eyebrow, "I call you that." I shrugged his statement off, "Oh, I see. Just tell her not to call you it. She'll understand, but please, Jes, can you try to be a little less intimidating?"
I rolled my eyes, "I guess."
"Thank you. You know I love you, right? I'm only doing this because you were okay with it last night."
I nodded my head and Steve pulled me into a tight hug. I felt him give me a light kiss on the top of my head and then we were back at the table. I took my seat and drank some of the water in my glass. Steve gave me a pointed look.
"Anyways, how did you know you wanted to join the Navy?" I asked Catherine.
Catherine looked up in surprise, "My dad was in the Navy and so was my Grandpa. I wanted to do it too." I nodded my head, "So, do you do anything for school? Play any sports?"
"My parents forbade me from playing sports after I broke a kids nose in 6th grade during dodge ball." I shrugged.
"You did what?" Steve's eyes grew wide.
"Hey, he had it coming! He threw the ball at my face." I laughed.
"Jessa! I thought that was you!" Came the old male voice from behind me. I turned around only to be smothered in a hug.
"Aloha, Milo! How are you?" I smiled; Milo owned the restaurant.
"Good, good. I was sorry to hear about your mom and dad. Terrible, they were good people." He smiled.
"Mahalo, Milo." I blinked, "Oh! Milo, this is Steve and Catherine! This is Milo, he owns the restaurant. Milo, Steve adopted me."
"You adopted my Jessa? Oh bless you! You have your work cut out for you. This girl is stubborn." Milo laughed.
"That she is!" Steve nodded.
Catherine jumped in to my defense, "Hey, she's in it with the biggest stubborn person of all."
Milo and I laughed. He laid a hand on my shoulder, "You going to sing for us tonight? It's been a while since we've had you do that. It'd be such a treat!"
"Milo..." I shook my head, "I don't sing."
"Hush! Have you heard your Jessa's voice? It's absolutely nani!" He lightly pushed my shoulder.
Steve and Catherine gave me a surprised look. "Milo, no. I haven't sung in a long time."
"Oh, humor an old man! I won't be around much longer, you know." He gave me a helpless look and I fell for it. Milo grinned, "Mahalo, Jessa."
He led me up to the piano and told the pianist to take a hike. "Milo any special request?" I asked.
"Yes! That song you sang at my wife's funeral. I love your voice when you sing it." He whispered.
I smiled and began playing Hallelujah on the piano. Before I opened my mouth to sing I glanced up and met Steve's watchful eyes. "I heard there was a secret chord that David played and he pleased the Lord, but you don't really care for music do ya?" I continued to sing and play until I hit the last chorus, "Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah."
I looked up from the piano and met Steve's eyes again. Applause rang out and Steve's smile grew wider. Milo came up again and asked the customers if they wanted to hear one more song, a collective yes sounded. Milo tossed me a ukulele and mouthed another song. I rolled my eyes and strummed Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
I didn't wait for the applause when I was done as I made my way back to my seat. "You owe me, Milo." I stated.
"Of course! Tonight's meal is on the house!" He kissed both of my cheeks and walked away.
"Wow, Jessa. You are really talented." Catherine said.
I shrugged, "I'm not much of a singer."
Steve sat there silently. We didn't discuss my singing until later that night. As I was driving home, I went over the night. Catherine and I got along. She actually was very nice. I pulled into my spot in the driveway and turned off my car. I looked up and saw someone in the dimness of the porch light.
My heart began to race as I grabbed the knife I took with me everywhere. I stepped out and the person turned towards me. It was only Jake. I caught my breath and laughed, "What are you doing here Jake?"
He didn't say anything as I climbed the stairs to meet him. He pulled me towards him and kissed me tenderly. It lasted for a few moments and I pulled back, "I forgot to give you that earlier." He smirked.
"Jake, this isn't smart. At all. We could lose our friendship. I don't want to do that." I shook my head and stepped back.
"We won't. We both know that we've had something between us for a while now. Jessa, nothing is going to change the way I feel about you." Jake smiled.
"You don't feel anything for me. You're just upset about your break up. You should go, before Steve gets back. Think about what you really want." I whispered.
"Jessa, I know what I want."
"Please Jake, go." I said. He complied and walked toward his old pickup truck. He sped off just as Steve pulled in. I slipped inside and ran upstairs to change. I pulled on another one of the stolen Navy tees and a pair of spandex shorts. I braided my curls into a messy side braid and walked back downstairs.
Steve had just come through the door and he was taking off his bow tie, "Nice shirt." He laughed.
"Thanks." I smiled. I plopped down on the sofa and he sat down next to me.
"Jes," he began, "you are amazing. You surprise me every day in all the things you are capable of!"
"I don't know what you are talking about." I said, clicking on the TV.
Steve grabbed the remote from me and turned it off, "Yes you do! You have an amazing voice, Jessa! It's phenomenal, you're phenomenal!"
"Thank you, but I don't sing." I grumbled.
"Why? You are so talented!" He smiled.
"Steve, when I was twelve, I would have these awful nightmares. Worse than the one I had the other night." I whispered, "I would be terrified to fall back asleep and my dad would sing me songs. Singing brings back painful memories."
"So why did you sing tonight?" Steve questioned.
"Milo, he hasn't been doing very well. He's always been like a grandpa to me and I'm a sucker for his puppy face." I smiled.
He nodded and pulled me close to him, "Catherine really likes you. She thinks you're a great girl, well after the fact that you tried to freak her out at first. She feels terrible about all of the assumptions she made."
I hated to admit it, but Catherine was pretty decent, "I like her too and she even helps me gang up on you!"
"Oh, why do I have to love you both so much?" Steve chuckled.
I didn't say anything. I laid my head down on his chest and fell asleep. This had become a habit of mine, one I needed to break, but didn't want to.
I hope you all enjoyed the very large chapter! I was going to split it into two, but I figured you all deserved a long chapter after waiting forever! Let me know what you all think! Constructive criticism is always welcome as are reviews! :)
See you later,
Theatrefreak10
